Immigration News

Texas Spends $250M on Illegal Immigrant Detentions

The Texas Department of Corrections testified at the state capital today regarding costs associated with housing and caring for the state’s illegal immigrant detainees. The department reported that it has spent at least $250 million on detainees with 50% of that expense for medical care. The U.S. government has reimbursed Texas 10% of its expense or $25 million not nearly covering its needs. There are an estimated 12,000 detainees in jails either awaiting trial on a criminal case, awaiting deportation or fighting deportation. There is a fear these costs would go up if Texas follows Arizona’s SB 1070 requiring citizenship to be confirmed at routine police stops.